🌸 Top 5 Gardens to Visit When Visiting West Wales
- The Hiveaway
- Aug 1
- 4 min read
Explore the most beautiful gardens in West Wales from your off-grid retreat
Looking to slow down, reconnect with nature, and wander through beautiful, peaceful surroundings? West Wales is home to some of the UK’s most enchanting gardens — from formal Georgian estates to wild, restorative landscapes.
If you’re staying at The Hiveaway, our luxury off-grid cabins in Ceredigion, you’re perfectly placed to explore some of the region’s most remarkable green spaces. Here are the top 5 gardens to visit during your stay.
🌿 1. Aberglasney Gardens, Llangathen
A garden lost in time, lovingly restored
One of Wales’ most iconic horticultural treasures, Aberglasney is a beautifully curated haven with over 10 acres of gardens layered with history. Wander through cloistered walkways, admire rare and exotic plants, and pause by still lily ponds nestled beneath ancient yew hedges.
Don’t miss: The award-winning Ninfarium — a hidden tropical garden unlike anything else in West Wales. Housed within a striking glass atrium built over the ruinous heart of the old mansion, this unique indoor space bursts with exotic, sub-tropical species like gloriosa lilies, Madagascan jasmine, banana plants, and rare orchids. Inspired by the romantic gardens of Ninfa in Italy (whose patrons supported Welsh poet Dylan Thomas), the Ninfarium offers a dreamy, otherworldly experience that feels as though nature has quietly reclaimed the past.
Why visit: A truly magical blend of formal planting, architectural beauty, and botanical surprises — from historic Elizabethan gardens to hidden tropical worlds.
🏡 2. Llanerchaeron, near Aberaeron
A Georgian estate with charming walled gardens and parkland
Owned by the National Trust, Llanerchaeron offers an authentic glimpse into 18th-century Welsh estate life. The working walled garden still produces fruit and vegetables today, and you can explore tranquil woodland walks, farm animals, and a lake within the estate.
Perfect for: A slow, easy day out with a picnic and gentle strolls.
Perfect for: Take a leisurely stroll from Llanerchaeron to Aberaeron along the old railway line. You’ll follow the river, walk past the park, allotments and end up in the harbour
🌺 3. National Botanic Garden of Wales, Llanarthne
One of the UK’s best plant collections in a spectacular setting
The National Botanic Garden of Wales is a must-visit for any garden lover. With the world’s largest single-span glasshouse, themed gardens, wildflower meadows, and lakeside trails, it’s a day out that balances beauty, biodiversity, and brilliant design.
Don’t miss: The British Bird of Prey Centre, and the apothecary garden filled with medicinal plants.
🌼 4. Cae Hir Gardens, Cribyn
Dutch garden design meets rural Welsh charm
A family-run garden just a short drive from The Hiveaway, Cae Hir offers five acres of beautifully structured flowerbeds, topiary, ponds, and rare plant collections. It's a Royal Horticultural Society Partner Garden, which makes it a must-see for green-fingered visitors.
Best time to visit: Spring and summer for maximum colour, though it’s peaceful year-round.
🌸 5. Bosherston Lily Ponds & Stackpole Walled Garden, Pembrokeshire
A lakeside walk through waterlilies, woodlands and wild beauty
A little over an hour’s scenic drive from The Hiveaway, the Bosherston Lily Ponds are part of the breathtaking Stackpole Estate — a National Trust-owned slice of Pembrokeshire paradise. These mirror-still lakes are fringed with ancient trees, reed beds, and in summer, carpets of waterlilies that seem to float in mid-air. It’s one of the most tranquil and visually striking walks in the region, and ideal for those who love a mix of gardens and gentle adventure.
As you follow the winding path over elegant stone bridges and through shaded woodland, keep an eye out for otters, dragonflies, and swans. End your walk at the Stackpole Walled Garden, where the beautifully restored kitchen garden brims with seasonal colour — and the café is perfect for a well-earned lunch, tea, or slice of cake made with produce grown just metres away.
Best for: A slightly longer day trip combining scenic walking, wild nature, and a lovingly tended heritage garden.
Hiveaway tip: Pack walking shoes and give yourself time to pause along the way — there are benches, birdwatching spots, and hidden nooks that invite you to linger.
Why Stay at The Hiveaway?
When you stay at The Hiveaway, you’re perfectly positioned to explore some of the most beautiful gardens in West Wales — then return to your private off-grid cabin to unwind in front of the firepit or soak in the stillness of nature.
🌿 Private, eco-conscious cabins with stunning countryside views
🔥 Firepits and kitchens for al fresco meals using local produce
🌸 Close to Llanerchaeron, Aberglasney, and the Botanic Gardens
🧘♀️ Digital detox setting to help you fully immerse in nature
Plan Your Garden-Filled Getaway 🌷
Whether you’re a dedicated horticulturalist or simply love peaceful green spaces, these top 5 gardens near The Hiveaway offer beauty, inspiration, and a chance to breathe a little deeper. Book your stay today and create your perfect countryside escape.
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